Teenagers Development - Term Paper Example

?Question Most define early adolescence as a stage that ranges from 12 to 14 years old. Hence, if I would be dealing with a 14-year-old female, physical changes should have already been manifested. Hormonal production during puberty causes various development and alterations in the human body (Meehan, 2007). For females, this stage is marked by pubic hair, breast development, menstruation, and others. Therefore, there may be cause for alarm if she would not have gone through these changes yet. If this would happen, it is possible that she would have some problems in the production of her sex hormones such as estrogen. In addition, excellent physical shape is usually evidenced by a normal weight and height. This is most of the time ascertained through the body mass index (BMI). The person’s weight is relative to his height. The average figure is also affected by the person’s culture and nationality. Thus, if the early adolescent has below average weight, she could be undergoing malnutrition. Many young people have been not eating properly since they are too conscious of how they look. On the other hand, if she would have an above average weight, this could be a cause for concern since it may result to obesity. Psychological The adolescent stage is usually called the storm and stress stage. This means that it is a norm for them to have unstable situations. Psychologically, it is already a cause for alarm if she would have neurotic or psychotic symptoms. For instance, it would already be serious if it is hard for her to be able to live with other people. This may be characterized by disregard for social rules, inability to have a clear concept of oneself, and/ or inflicting harm without feeling guilty. For instance, it would indeed be alarming if she would resort to arson just to attract attention from her schoolmates. Moreover, most adolescents become so self-conscious and evaluate themselves most of the time. Hence, they tend to be self-centered and even egocentric. However, it would not be customary if she would have irrational beliefs such as she should be perfect and should be accepted and praised by others. This belief already represents a great dissociation between the real self and ideal self. A similar illogical principle is to think that she should always be in control of what happens to her and the people around her. If this happens, without intervention, it would be hard for her to deal with life challenges and to achieve satisfaction in her everyday activities. Cognitive According to Jean Piaget, mental processes develop in relation to the stages of development. He explained that most adolescents particularly at 14 years old are in the formal operational stage. This means that she would be capable of higher order thinking skills such as forming hypothesis, coming up with conclusions, solving complex problems and the like (Wadsworth, 2003). This then means that it would be of concern if she would not have the capacity to comprehensively communicate her ideas. It is not characteristic for her to not be able to talk about her convictions on moral and social issues. For example, when asked about what she thinks of the how social networking sites affect lifestyle; she should be at least proficient in sharing what she feels and believes of the situation. Furthermore, the educational system should be in sync with the cognitive development of students. Thus, it may be disturbing if she would not be able to cope with the academic expectations of a usual school from a 14-year-old student like her. Therefore, she should pass her subjects considering that there are no pressing concerns in the other aspects in her life. For example, it would be understandable if she failed in her classes due to sickness or other related problems. Social Usually, adolescents have a closer relationship with their peers. Considering this premise, it would be a cause for worry if she would have a very difficult time relating with her classmates or other young people close to her age. It is not usual if she would not like to go out with other adolescents or even try to have a casual conversation with them. For instance, it would be of regard if she would not return a greeting or answer an ordinary question under normal social circumstances. In addition, it would be shocking if she would engage in socially unacceptable behaviour in different settings in more than a couple of times. Erik Erikson’s (1994) theory of psychosocial development states that teenagers are in the self-identity vs. role confusion stage. This means that adolescents strive to prove their identity. It is then helpful for them to try to engage in various kinds of activities and organizations to aid in coming up with self-concepts. It would then be worrying if she would not care regarding her identity. For instance, it would be disquieting if she would not be curious or attempt to find out the answer to the question, “Who am I?” Emotional Brought about by physical changes including hormonal influences, adolescents can become quite sensitive and highly excitatory. In connection with their social development, they begin to have intimate relationships. It would then be disturbing deviations if she would exhibit emotional characteristics belonging to the extreme poles. This would be characterized by too intense feelings of anxiety. On the other hand, it would be distressing if she would be apathetic to situations that would normally elicit emotional reactions. Overall, it would be disquieting if she would not be able to display logical emotional responses in connection to her experiences. Of course, it would still be acceptable if she would exhibit occasional emotional break outs or bouts of aggression. Nonetheless, these extreme affective expressions should be caused by their respective stimulus. If she would cry hysterically without any apparent reason, proper interventions should be employed. Generally, it is essential for adolescents to be able to facilitate their actions in response to their emotions. Question 2 Zukerman (2003) wrote in her book, Eldercare For Dummies that it is important to make sure that the elderly have proper nutrition. It is also essential to keep them safe. Moreover, making them feel accepted and respected is helpful for their self-esteem. In addition, helping them maintain a sharp mind aids in preventing and intervening memory loss or Alzheimer’s disease. Considering a senior citizen’s physical, socio-emotional, and cognitive aspects are paramount to elderly care giving. Firstly, it is significant to oversee his food intake. It is important that he maintain a well-balanced diet. Because of aging, the body has a hard time metabolizing certain kinds of food. It also needs more of some kinds of vitamins and minerals to address the cessation of development of the organs. For example it would be best for them to have a lot of fruits and vegetables since these are generally helpful in arresting cell degeneration. The meals prepared for them should also be easy to chew and swallow since they usually have a hard time with their weak teeth or dentures. Additionally, it is beneficial if the dishes prepared are tasty for them since many elderly are finicky eaters. Secondly, prompting them to engage in social activities can make them feel welcome. Many elderly may think that they are not any more important to the society. Hence, encouraging the elderly to be active in organizations may aid in having social support groups. Several responsibilities in civic organizations are excellent in having a sense of conscientiousness. In relation to this, having an active life style is indicative of a similarly active cognition. Thus, in caring for the elderly person, I would aim to urge him to play board and memory games and other activities that may enhance mental alertness. Question 3 In this situation, deviations from the normal physical development are evidenced by the child’s pale appearance and listless behaviour. Generally, this could denote poor health. Regarding his psychological and socio-emotional condition, it is of concern that he rarely cries or smiles and no signs of speech, especially when she is often the last child to be picked up at the centre. These observations may imply that the child is usually being neglected or possibly abused. As a community worker, I have certain responsibilities. According to the Australian Association of Social Workers (2012), licensed providers of child care services have the legal obligation to report suspected child abuse in Western Australia. If there is a belief based on reasonable situations, report should be made to the authorities. Furthermore, the Code of Ethics is observed when helping vulnerable children. Considering the present condition of the child, legislative requirements state that the parent should be notified regarding the assistance given. Hence, I have to discuss the concerns I have observed with the child’s mother. The value of confidentiality should also be observed as long as it does not endanger any party. The next step would be to ask help from concerned offices and organizations if necessary. Question 4 Erikson’s stages deals with different kinds of crises that happens in respect to an individual’s progressive developmental stages (Stevens, 2008). A negative experience or situation may lean towards a similarly unconstructive value and a positive one may be manifested in a correspondingly healthy personality. Nevertheless, balance should be taken into consideration since an over positive value will still manifest maladaptive tendencies. He asserted that the significant people in a person’s community have poignant contributions to his existence. Though there are no exact age brackets that are being followed, his theory states that the different transitions of growth also dictate the changes in the conflicts that a person has to face. The first stage is known as trust versus mistrust. This is particularly established during infancy. The important individuals are the parents or caregivers since they are the ones who are naturally shaping the child’s growth. Trust would be established if there is appropriate communication, reassurance, and other indicators of support. In this situation, the child will realize that he can trust others when there is security in his environment. For example, he can trust that his mother would always be there to change his diapers and give him food. As he grows up, he adopts a confiding attitude to others. On the contrary, mistrust would develop if the child would be brought up in a relatively unsafe world. He would think that it is not safe to depend or expect support from others because of past experience. It may then lead to feelings of doubt and paranoia if left unchecked. If there would then be too much trust, the child could develop gullibility and other naive characteristics. The second stage is autonomy versus shame and doubt. In the toddlerhood years, the child should be given ample freedom to explore. If the child would realize that he can be influential enough to control certain factors in his environment, autonomy would be emphasized. On the other hand, shame and doubt would be manifested if the toddler would always be constrained by his over protective parents. He would then not be able to learn how to do things on his own because of the shame and doubt that were highlighted by his experience. He would doubt his capabilities since other people were doing everything for him. Without balance, a person may become too self-sufficient to the point of the inability to receive help from others if his sense of autonomy was over cultivated. The stage of initiative versus guilt comes next. During preschool years, the child will attempt to start accomplishments. Many of them volunteer to fix things or solve problems. Hence, a pre-schooler may hone her value of resourcefulness if he would be given the chance to manipulate elements towards a goal. Guilt would arise if he would be punished for the unpleasant results that happened when he tried to exhibit his initiative. As an adult, he would be intimidated or possibly terrified to start a project due to the impending failure that he thinks would most likely ensue. Therefore, it is important to give children a second chance when they failed at something. In the elementary years, children spend most of their time in school. At this stage of industry versus inferiority, teachers as authority figures are very influential. Industry would be cultured if the environment would be encouraging and supportive in honing interests and in tackling challenges. On the contrary, inferiority would be fostered if the school-aged child would be disheartened in one way or the other. Superiority complex may evolve if the child would be encouraged unrealistically. This is followed by identity versus role confusion. This is the time when adolescents would like to find out about their identity and is greatly affected by their peer group. They would end up in role confusion if they fail to ascertain the definition of their personality. This could happen if they would always ascribe to the identity of others without fully comprehending and agreeing. This could be exacerbated by joining gangs and fraternities since they find themselves in conflict with the society’s expectations. Next is the stage of intimacy versus isolation. This does not only concern girl-boy relationships but friendships as well. Intimacy would be enhanced if the individual learns how to thrive in a commitment despite the challenges that go with it. On the contrary, disappointments and frustrations in relationships would lead to isolation. This would happen when young adults refuse to fully commit to a relationship because of their bitter pasts. In the stage of generativity versus stagnation, the individual already has the capacity to be productive in different areas. This may be at work, in rearing children, or in sharing wisdom. Stagnation would be amplified if there is no avenue or attitude of productivity. This may also arise when the adult would not care for the next generations to come. Hence, being self-centered, greedy, and lazy would lead to lack of progress. Lastly, old age belongs to the stage of integrity versus despair. The positive attribute is developed when the elderly is somehow satisfied or proud of how his life has been. It would be easier for someone in the old age to accept death if he would have the belief that his life was full of meaning. Despair would be highlighted when he looks back at his past with much regret. This would be signified by frustrations and other unfulfilled goals. Reference List Australian Association of Social Workers (2012). Ethical guidelines (Data file). Retrieved from http://www.aasw.asn.au/whatwedo/ethics-faqs Erikson, E. (1994). Identity and the life cycle. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company. Meehan, D. (2007). Learning like a girl. New York, NY: Public Affairs. Stevens, R. (2008). Erik Erikson: Exploring the life cycle, identity and psychohistory. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan. Wadsworth, H. (2003). Piaget’s theory of cognitive and affective development. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon Publishing. Zukerman, R. (2003) Eldercare for dummies. New York, NY: Wiley Publishing, Inc. Read More